Local Sports

June 6, 2012

LITTLE ROCK â€“ The Bryant Black Sox Senior (19-under) American Legion baseball team went to Buddy Coleman Field at Central High School in Little Rock and shutout out the Little Rock Blues 7-0 on Tuesday night. The Black Sox improved their season record to 3-0 after beating Cabot 11-5 in the first game of the year and topping Benton 9-0 last Wednesday.

May 30, 2012

BENTON â€“ Senior Benton Panthers catcher Matthew Krikorian may not be the biggest guy on the field, but his size didnâ€™t stop him from posting big numbers this past season. Krikorian signed a letter of intent to play baseball for the University of Central Arkansas (Conway) on Tuesday night at Holland Chapel Baptist Church Life Center in front of friends and family before the Panthers announced their postseason awards.

May 21, 2012

FAYETTEVILLE - The Bryant Lady Hornets completed their undefeated seasaon with an 8-4 win against the Bentonville Lady Tigers to win the 7A State Championship on Saturday at Bogle Park in Fayetteville. The Lady Hornets finish 34-0, extend their winning streak to 37 games dating back to last season, not to mention winning their third consecutive 7A State Title game.

May 21, 2012

FAYETTEVILLE â€“ The Bryant Hornets are the new 7A State Champions after defeating the Rogers Heritage War Eagles 4-2 on Friday afternoon at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville. The Central No. 2 seed Hornets needed just four hits to score four runs, taking advantage of the No. 2 seed War Eaglesâ€™ six walks and three hit batters. It was the Hornets second State Title in the past three years, making it all three years, but losing to Conway last year.

May 17, 2012

PEARCY â€“ The Benton Panthers track and field team competed in four events in the Meet of Champs at Lake Hamilton High School in Pearcy on Saturday and finished fourth overall with 29 points. Vilonia took first with 52 points, followed by Conway (40) and Heber Springs (32). Bentonville and Rogers each had 28 points, coming behind Benton.

As usual, senior runner Zach Riley led the way for Benton, winning the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes. Riley won the 100 in a time of 10.75 and the 200 in 21.67.

May 17, 2012

NORTH LITTLE ROCK - The Central No. 2 seed Bryant Hornets will be making their third consecutive trip to the 7A State Championship game after handling the West No. 1 seed Bentonville Tigers 9-0 on Monday afternoon in the semifinals at Vince DeSalvo Stadium at Burns Park in North Little Rock. The game was originally scheduled for Saturday, but inclement weather postponed it.

May 17, 2012

The Benton Panthersâ€™ season came to an end when their rival conference foe Sheridan Yellowjackets upended them 3-2 in the semifinal of the 6A State Tournament on Saturday at Mountain Home High School.

â€śIt was a heck of a game,â€ť Benton Coach Mark Balisterri said. â€śWe just didnâ€™t get the big hit. We had a couple chances to score some runs, but couldnâ€™t get the big hit. We outhit them. They just scored one more than we did and thatâ€™s basically all there was to it.â€ť

May 17, 2012

With a 7-0 semifinal win over the West No. 2 seed Springdale Har-Ber Lady Cats on Saturday in the State Tournament at Lady Hornet Field, the Central No. 1 seed Bryant Lady Hornets will make their third consecutive trip to the State Final game against the Bentonville Lady Tigers on Saturday, May 19, at Park in Fayetteville. Bryant will try to make it three titles in a row and are currently on a 36-game winning streak, dating to last season.

May 17, 2012

Nate Griffin, a former point guard for the Benton Panthers, signed his letter of intent with North Central Community College on Friday.

â€śNate (Griffin) has turned out to be a really fine young man. We are really proud of him,â€ť Chris Nail, Head Menâ€™s Basketball coach for the Benton Panthers said. â€śHe was a two year all-conference, one year all-state player and a good tournament player. Heâ€™s had a great career for us and we are excited that he gets to pursue his education for free and play some basketball.â€ť